Grant applications will open from 1 June 2015
Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) provides small grants up to $7,500 USD to grassroots projects that are led by women and that help empower women and girls, in developing countries around the world. Over the years, VGIF has funded over 475 projects in 89 countries addressing specific challenges faced by women and girls.
VGIF grants are for one year. A limited number of grants are available for multi-year projects. VGIF may invite successful one year grantees to submit a proposal for a three-year grant. Multi-year applications follow a separate process, and are by invitation only. The budget amount requested from VGIF must not exceed $7,500 USD.
Focus Areas
- Economic empowerment
- Community development
- Health and nutritional support
- Literacy and leadership training
- Educational seminars and workshops Promoting education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for girls
- Women’s human rights
2015-16 Timeline
VGIF’s 2015 grantmaking schedule for one-year grants is:
- June 1 – July 31, 2015- Letters of Intent (LOIs) accepted
- 17, 2015- Approved LOIs are invited to submit full applications
- 16, 2015- Applications are due and review process begins
- April 2016- Board votes and selects top projects
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant can be from anywhere around the world and the project must be women led empowering women in developing countries.
- VGIF will consider funding organizations located outside of the country where the project will be implemented only when most or all of the project leadership and staff are locally based.
- GIF does not support:
- Individual scholarships and tuition
- The purchase of land
- Political organizations, political campaigns, or projects that aim to influence specific legislation
- Religious groups, unless the proposed project contributes to the general good of the community Organizations that discriminate against individuals or groups based on gender, age, race, caste, color, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
How to Apply?
- VGIF has a two-step process for grant applications. The first step is the Letter of Intent (LOI).
- To submit an application, applicant must first submit an LOI online.
- Selected LOIs will be invited to apply for funding.
For more information, please visit VFIF Grants.
